John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, the Minister cannot attend this afternoon and she has instead asked me to take this Adjournment matter on her behalf. The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is a priority project for the Government and the project is proceeding as planned. The Children's Health First report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be located with a leading adult academic hospital in order to optimise the outcomes for children. Following detailed consideration, it was decided the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital.

The development is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital development board, which was established in May 2007. The board has 12 members appointed by the Minister as follows: a chairperson appointed directly by the Minister, three members appointed on the nomination of the chairperson, three members appointed to represent the interests of the general public, two members appointed on the nomination of the HSE and one member each appointed on the nominations of the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght and the Faculty of Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. There is currently one vacancy on the board to be filled on the nomination of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

The board has appointed a number of key personnel, including a chief officer, a medical director and a finance officer. A detailed design brief for the new hospital is due for completion during the second quarter of 2009. The design brief will be converted into an exemplar design, outlining the exact dimensions and specifications for the new hospital to allow the project proceed to tender for construction. A more accurate estimate of costs will be available at that stage. The project is scheduled for completion in 2014. The HSE has advised that €5.3 million has been expended on the project to date and the Minister looks forward to continuing progress on this important development.